Germany's preparations for their World Cup quarter-final against the United States were lifted today when key defender Christoph Metzelder successfully took part in training.
Metzelder had been nursing a damaged ankle following Germany's 1-0 win over Paraguay in the second round on Saturday, when he was substituted midway through the second half.
There had been fears the 21-year-old Borussia Dortmund player would not recover for the game against the USA, but assistant coach Michael Skibbe said he was now on course to play.
"Metzelder took part in training today and he's going to be fine for Friday," Skibbe said. "We've got a clean bill of health now - everyone is available."
US coach Bruce Arena said today he could pick from all 14 players who took part in the second-round win over Mexico.
Arena said he was yet to select his line-up for the match in Ulsan on Friday but that he had no injury concerns among the players who fired the States to a 2-0 win over Mexico on Monday to reach the last eight against all expectations.
"I have not decided on my line-up yet but there are no new injuries," he told a media conference.
AFP